O'Dea: I'm desperate to get involved with international side

Darren O'Dea is hoping that moving to Reading can kick-start his international career.

Before he has kicked a ball for the Championship club the 22-year-old has been drafted into the Ireland squad to face South Africa tonight.

With key World Cup qualifiers taking place this week a friendly against South Africa in Limerick is unlikely to attract too much attention but for O'Dea it's the perfect opportunity.

The Celtic defender has been in Giovanni Trapattoni's thoughts since being included in his first international get together in May 2008 but the Italian has been unable to give O'Dea a chance due to his lack of first team football.

Occasional stand-in appearances in central defence or being drafted in as an emergency left-back has did little for O'Dea's development but perhaps opportunity knocks as he prepares for a new challenge with Reading.

With the backing of a new three year deal at Celtic and interest from half a dozen Championship clubs O'Dea is as ready as he'll ever be to launch himself onto the international arena.

He said: "It's been very hard for me over the last 18 months for me to think about international football when I've not been playing club football.

"So I've sorted that out now and once I'm playing, then it's something that I am very much aware of. I'm desperate to be involved.

MOWBRAY
"Tony Mowbray has been great since he came. He spoke very straight with me and I've been straight with him and we decided this was the best way to go. I've recommitted myself to the club and they have committed themselves to me.

"I was adamant the loan would happen. For me, it was the most important thing and obviously for the club it was very important I signed a new contract as they see me in their future.

"I've heard it (the experience factor) since I was 19, yet I've played in big games and I've proved myself.

"Don't get me wrong, I do need to get a lot more experience. I hear it regularly and I want to be judged on ability rather than experience. So once I get this experience, I will return to Celtic and I don't want to hear it again."

O'Dea will make his Reading debut at home to Doncaster Rovers on Saturday.